SHE REGRETS NOTHING by ANDREA DUNLOP

February 7, 2018

ABOUT SHE REGRETS NOTHING:

In the tradition of The Emperor’s Children and The House of Mirth, the forgotten granddaughter of one of New York’s wealthiest men is reunited with her family just as she comes of age—and once she’s had a glimpse of their glittering world, she refuses to let it go without a fight.

When Laila Lawrence becomes an orphan at twenty-three, the sudden loss unexpectedly introduces her to three glamorous cousins from New York who show up unannounced at her mother’s funeral. The three siblings are scions of the wealthy family from which Laila’s father had been estranged long before his own untimely demise ten years before.

Two years later, Laila has left behind her quiet life in Grosse Point, Michigan to move to New York City, landing her smack in the middle of her cousins’ decadent world. As the truth about why Laila’s parents became estranged from the family patriarch becomes clear, Laila grows ever more resolved to claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught between longing for the love of her family and her relentless pursuit of the lifestyle she feels she was unfairly denied, Laila finds herself reawakening a long dead family scandal—not to mention setting off several new ones—as she becomes further enmeshed in the lives and love affairs of her cousins. But will Laila ever, truly, belong in their world? Sly and sexy, SHE REGRETS NOTHING is a sharply observed and utterly seductive tale about family, fortune, and fate—and the dark side of wealth.

MY REVIEW:

A peak into the glittering world of New York society and the conflict between a poor cousin and her fabulously wealthy family.

Described as a Gossip-Girl type story, this book certainly delivers on describing the incredibly wealthy New York socialites and their often-empty lifestyle. There’s romance, intrigue, family drama and blackmail – all wrapped up in a shiny bow.

I found the main character, Laila, slightly unlikable. Yet I kept reading to find out what she would do next. Laila moves from the Midwest to New York after the death of her mother and after she learns that she actually has cousins who are enormously wealthy. They take her in but Laila never quite gets over the huge chip on her shoulder.

Laila is ready to claim the life she is meant to lead. But it seems as though she will never really fit in despite her best efforts. Her arrival also re-opens old family feuds. What will become of Laila in the big city? Will she ever find her place in the family?

I am a huge fan of Ms. Dunlop and loved how she described the family drama and the day-to-day lives of New York City’s young elite. There is a very surprising conclusion that never saw coming. While Laila was not my favorite, I enjoyed the overall story and the New York City setting. I am still thinking about the ending of ‘She Regrets Nothing’ and cant wait to see what the author comes up with next.

“I love New York, but sometimes I think that if I find my way in, I’ll never find my way out.”